Amusement device



Feb. 7,1950 c. E. LARSON 2,497,003

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, er with illustrations Patented Feb. 7, 1950 Carl Elmer Larson,

Eva M. Larson,

Indianapolis, Ind., assignor to Chicago, 111., as trustee Application November 13, 1944, Serial No. 563,188

,6 Claims. (crave-1011 .2')

The object of my invention is to produce a novel amusement device by which an operator may simulate discharge and movement of torpedoes from a submarine vessel toward moving targets, the construction being such that, when skillfully operated, a strike upon the target will be indicated by an appropriate signal.

To this end, the apparatus involves a manual- 1y controllable periscope in such form as to create or simulate the atmosphere of the firing station of a submarine vessel; a simulation of travel of a submarine torpedo from the firing station toward a target surface vessel; means for simulating an extended water surface between the firing station and a selectable surface target; means coordinated with the periscope and the target whereby the operator may be advised as to whether his manipulation has been such as to hit or miss the selected target; and various other details which will be set forth in the accompanying specification and claims.

The accompanying drawings illustrate an embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the periscope unit and the means for simulating water surface and torpedo travel;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through the mechanism, taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. L4, and showing the periscope-controlled switching mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 4-4-of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section, on the line 5-5 of Fig. 6, of the water-surface and torpedo travelsimulator upon an enlarged scale;

Fig. 6 is a section on line 6-6 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a wiring diagram.

In the drawings Ill indicates a housing having a vertical face I I, at average eye height, on which are exposed various dials to designate the number of operations, number of strikes, etc., togethof mechanisms commonly found adjacent the periscope station of a submarine vessel.

The upper part III of housing I0 overhangs face II and from it depends a periscope oscillable about a vertical axis with an eye-piece 2I and handles 22, 22 by which the periscope may be oscillated about its vertical axis. At its upper end the periscope comprises a lens 23 directed toward the path of travel of a plurality of targets '1', T, T", etc., simulating surface vessels and carried by a turntable 25 in suchmanner as to' be successively moved into and through.

under surface of 'sition by a the range of lens 23 which lens is-preferably of such character as to magnify targets. The several targets are electrically connected to ground through individual terminals t, t, 15'', etc., which are carriedby turntable 25 in a circular series concentric with. the axis of the table. Table 25 is rotatedlby any suitable means, such as motor TM.

Pivoted on the axis of table 25 is an arm 26 provided with a terminal 21 located in the path of terminals t, t, t, etc. The arm 26 is supported forswinging movement about said axis in a guide 28 whose ends I28 and I29 constitute limiting stops for the movement of said arm. A spring I30 constantly biases the arm 26 toward said stop I29, while a finger 29 movable with oscillations of the periscope 20 engages said arm 26 to swing the same toward said sto I28 against the tendency of spring I30.

Carried by the periscope 2i], subtending and adjacent the line of sight from lens 23, is a sheet of glass 30 thezupper surface of which is finely undulant so that, perceived through lens 23 and illuminated by a lamp 3|, a water surface will appear to lie. between the operator and the targets as :they successively come into view.

Beneath glass 30 is a series of lamps L, L, L", etc., the light from which is directed upon the glass 30 through a longitudinal slit 32 extending radially from the axis of the periscope, the arrangement being such that, as lamps L, L, L, etc., are successively lighted and extinguished, the observer will see a spot of light apparently moving along the surface of the glass '30, thus simulating the appearance of the wake of a torpedo passing from the observer toward a target. A push button 33, on the periscope adjacent its handles, is provided for manipulation by the operator.

Indicating mechanisms 38 and 35, for indicating or recording fires and hits, are of well known form, each comprising an indicator actuated step-by-step by a solenoid ratchet-pawl 3410 or 35p and released for return to normal posolenoid release Mr or 351'. The details of these mechanisms are well known and therefore need no further description as they form no part of my present invention.

The coin controlled mechanism 31 for placing the apparatus in condition for use, may be of any well known form which will establish, and maintain for a predetermined interval, actuating electrical circuits for the entire mechanism. This apparatus comprises a switch Ml and a time cam 4| activated byzproper operation of a coin receiver. Details of the mechanism are well known and form no part of my present invention.

The flash mechanism 42 is of well known form, electrically driven by a motor FM, which is energized through a suitable cycling relay when the button 33 is pressed. Said motor drives a rotatable terminal disc 43 which establishes circuits successively through lamps L, L, L", etc., and which also carries a terminal which, as the cycle nears completion, closes a circuit to energizethe fire indicator 34.

The circuit of one of the L lamps, preferably the last one, is associated with a circuit including a terminal 44 contacted successively by the t terminals and including a red flashlamp 45 and the coil 46 of a relay 4'! which controls the hit indicator 35, so that if terminals}?! .and 44 are simultaneously in circuit, lamp 45 will illuminate the visible surface of sheet with a red light so as to simulate a torpedo explosion upon a target, and the hit indicator-will be advanced.

Relay 41 also controls a circuitthreugh coil 48 of the signal device 36 so-thatsignal 36 will be sounded when lamp is flashed.

The flash mechanism preferably includes terminal arrangements, as indicated in Fig. 7, whereby successive flashings oflamps L will occur, during time intervals of difierent lengths thereby simulating the travel of diilerenttorpedoes at different speeds fromthe firing station to the target, and the terminal-controlling cam 4.9 forms part of this mechanism. The details of such mechanism are well known and form no part of my present invention and therefore require no further description.

Various lights, as indicated in Fig. 7 are provided for illuminating the apparatus during idle and active periods.

The apparatus having been activated by the insertion of a proper coin, the target turn-table is set in motion to bring the targets T successively into the range of vision through-the periscope, and lamp 3| is energized to illuminate the targets and the upper surface of glass 38. The operator, looking through the periscope, observes the passage ol-the targets-apparently ata great distance over-water, due to the character of the upper surface of glass and its illumination by lamp 3|; and, by swinging the periscope :on its vertical axis. the operator follows the visible target.

When button 33 is operated-the flash mntorFM is energized and the successive energization of lamps L, L, L" etc., simulates subsurface passage of a torpedo toward the target and indicator 34 is actuated to record a fire. If the operator is able to establish a contact'between terminal 27 and the appropriate oneoi terminals t when terminal 44 is in contact with a terminal-t", relay 4'! and coil 48 are energized and lamp 4 5 is flashed to indicate and record a hit The target motor TM will be stopped and the lamp 3! will be extinguished at the endcf a predetermined advancement of the shot recorder, or at the end of a-time perioddetermined by the time train, whichever occurs first. The shot and hit recorders are returnedto hero by the actuation of the relays 3M and 352' when another coin is inserted in the machine. Suitable additional lamps are provided to properly illuminate the structure during *idle'" and play periods.

The requisite electricalcircuits are well known and are indicated in Fig. 7-so thatdetaileddescription and tracingisbelieved unnecessary;

I claim as my invention:

1. In an amusement device, a tar-get carrier mounted for rotation about a fixed axis, means for driving said carrier, a plurality of targets mounted on said carrier, an electric terminal associated with each target and partaking of its course of travel, a manually-movable sighting device movable about an axis spaced from said target axis to scan a part of the course of travel of each target, means for simulating a course of travel of a projectile from the sighting device toward the path of travel of the targets, manually controllable means adjacent the sighting device for initiating operation of the projectile simulating means, a movable electric terminal mounted for oscillation about said carrier axis and coordinable with said target terminals, means connecting the sighting device to move said last-mentioned terminal about the carrier axis upon movement of said sighting device about its own axis in an attempt to contact said last-mentioned terminal with a target terminal at a predetermined portion of the cycle of operation of the projectile-simulating means, a

. hit indicator, and means for actuating said hit indicator, only if and when the aforesaid two terminals are in contact at a predetermined 1nsta'nt of the cycle of operation of the projectile simulator.

2. Anamusement device comprising a movable target having an associate electric terminal, a second movable terminal having a path of travel coincident with a portion of the path of travel of the first terminal and contactible with said first terminal, a movable sighting device adapted to scan and follow a portion of the path of travel of the target during which the said two terminals may be in contact, means controlled .by movement of said sighting device to determine the pointat which said second terminal will contact said target terminal, means for simulating the travel of ,a projectile toward the target, manual means for initiating the operation of said projectile simulating means, an electrically controlled indicator, and ,an energizing circuit for said indicator including said two terminals and a portion of the projectile simulating means beyond its initiation control.

3. An amusement device comprising a turntable carrying atarget and :an associate electric terminal, means for driving said table, a sighting device manually movable to scan and follow a portion of the path of target .travel, an arm pivoted on'the table axis and carrying an electric terminal contacti'ble with the first-mentioned terminal, a manually movable sighting device arranged to scan and follow the target through a portion of its movement, projectilesim-u'lating means, means associated with the sighting device-for moving said arm-carried terminal-to efiect contact-with the target terminal, manual means for initiating movement of the projectile-simulating means, an electrically controlled indicator, and means for energizing said indicator including said twoterminals and a part associated with the outer end of the projectilesimulating means and independent of the initiating means of said projectile-simulating means.

4. In an amusement device, an upstanding body cappedby a closed section overhanging a able about its axis and having an eye-piece through which said target may be viewed.

5. In an amusement device, an upstanding body having a substantially vertical panel, means associated with said body and providing an opaque ceiling projecting outwardly beyond said panel, a target device carried above the level of said ceiling and screened from the view of one standing adjacent said body, and a periscope including a tube penetrating said ceiling at a point spaced from said panel, depending from said ceiling, and unsupported at its bottom end, said periscope further including an eye-piece through which said target device may be viewed.

6. In an amusement device, a sighting device through which a laterally-limited field may be viewed, means mounting said sighting device for swinging movement to shift the field thus visible through said sighting device, means within said field and movable with said sighting device and simulating a water surface, and means associated with said water-surface-simulating means and movable therewith for simulating the moving wake of a subsurface projectile.

CARL ELMER LARSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,281,720 Tully Oct. 15, 1918 2,216,278 New Oct. 1, 1940 2,269,410 New Jan. 6, 1942 2,275,797 New Mar. 10, 1942 2,300,132 New Oct. 27, 1942 

